I have up to €9,000 to spend on a good automatic car...
I'm about to buy my first car and I'm looking for an automatic vehicle at a reasonable price. My budget is currently between €7,000 and €9,000, and I'd like to know if it's realistic to find a good option within that range ideally a super small car for my daughter (four years old) and I.
I should mention that I don't have much knowledge about cars or mechanics, which is why I decided to ask here. I want to make a good decision and avoid making a costly mistake.
Could you guide me on where to start?
What are the basic things I should know before beginning my search? Also, do you think my budget is enough, or would it be better to wait and save a bit more?
Thank you very much in advance!
Karla, Dublin (Dublin )Mar 2026 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Karla,
That budget is plenty to find a decent automatic runaround that's big enough for the two of you and relatively cheap to keep on the road.
A few models that are worth looking into:
Ford Fiesta: plentiful, reliable, inexpensive to maintain
Honda Jazz: not so common, but exceptionally reliable and very spacious (also badged the Honda Fit if a Japanese import)
Kia Picanto: you'd get quite a modern one for your budget, though they are smaller than the above cars, and again, not so plentiful
Mazda Demio: this is a Japanese import, badged the Mazda2 here – nice car
There are loads of other options of course, but those are good starting points to begin your search. Sites like Carzone.ie have good search filters to allow you to put in your budget and an automatic gearbox.
In terms of general tips, we'd give you the following advice:
1 – Prioritise the condition and service history of a car over its age and mileage.
2 – If you decide on a particular make and model that you like, seek out different examples of it from various sellers and test-drive as many as you can so you get a feel for which one 'feels' best.
3 – Don't view a car at night or in the rain as that can disguise issues with it.
4 – I would suggest that a diesel car would be a bad fit for you unless you spend a lot of time on the motorway every day covering long distances – they can come with higher maintenance costs.
5 – Make sure you get an insurance quote for any car you are considering before you commit to it.
6 – If at all possible, bring a friend or family member with you when looking at cars, preferably one that has a bit of experience in such things. It's quite a daunting thing to do on your own for the first time.
7 – Ask to see the paperwork on any car you're serious about before you talk about the price.
Hopefully all that is of help. Don't hesitate to send us another question if you'd like more assistance.
Ford Fiesta or Peugeot 208 for our son taking his test?
We are looking at a 2016 Ford Fiesta 1.0-litre with 32,000 miles on the clock and a 2018 Peugeot 208 1.2 (54,000 miles) for a first car for our son who is about to take his practical driving test.
Which is the better car, cheapest to maintain and the safest?
Nick Williams ( Maynards Green, Heathfield, TN2)Mar 2026 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Nick,
It might be tempting to go with the newer car, but the Peugeot engine has what's called a 'wet belt' and these can be problematic. Unless it has had more oil changes than is recommended, we'd shy away from this car. Shame as it's otherwise nice, and newer than the Fiesta.
Still, the Fiesta (and we're assuming you mean the 80hp non-EcoBoost one) is a great choice. The Peugeot and Ford are contemporaries when it comes to safety equipment and standards with the Fiesta slightly better anyway.
All in all, if those are the two cars on your shortlist, we wouldn't hesitate to say go for the Fiesta.
Can I import this Fiesta from the North without paying duty?
Hi,
I read your article 'Importing a car from Northern Ireland'. I am looking to buy a 2022 car from Belfast. It has a Northern Irish registration and was registered as a new car in October 2022.
Can I check would I be liable for import tax on the vehicle? Or does it need to be registered before Jan 2021 to be exempt?
From Revenue you mentioned : “A vehicle that has previously been in use in Northern Ireland can be registered for VRT in the State, without liability to additional customs duties and import VAT. Proof will be required that the vehicle has been in private ownership for a reasonable period of time - a copy of the V5C showing the last registered keeper in NI and the date of registration to that keeper.”
The car I'm hoping to buy is a 2022 Ford Fiesta Trend with one previous private owner.
Thanks
IEMcNally (Enfield)Jan 2026 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi there,
As the car you're looking at has been in use all its life in the North - and I presume you can prove that - then there should not be any import duty or VAT payable on its importation south of the border. You will have to pay VRT of course.
Always check your facts directly with Revenue before committing to a purchase.
Do Ford diesels have wet belts?
Does the 2022 Ford Puma Titanium Ecoblue diesel 1.5have a wet belt? I've heard Ford had a problem with these before. Also, can you tell me if wet belts were used in the 2015 Ford Fiesta TDCi Titanium diesel?
Marie Cahill (ENNISCORTHY)Feb 2025 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Marie,
I can confirm that those cars' engines do not have wet timing belts - they are traditional 'dry' belts instead. I believe the issues you mentioned relate to Ford's EcoBoost petrol engines only.
I have €4,000 to buy my first car...
Hi,
I'm a student from Dublin looking to buy my first car. Budget is small, around €4,000. Obviously a small engine will be cheaper insurance-wise and grand for driving in Dublin, but I would be driving to Ennis and back once or twice a month (500km ish). Is a 1.0-litre too small,? Should iIlook for something bigger?
Mark Boyle (ENNISCORTHY)Dec 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
OK, we’ve found a few cars that meet both your budget and your small engine requirement, and can pretty easily handle the hack to Ennis and back.
All small car searches should start with a Fiat 500 — looks cool, is fun to drive, costs buttons to run and no they’re not unreliable.
Want something a bit more conventional? You should be able to track down a 2009-ish Ford Fiesta with the 1.25 engine. Terrific all-rounder.
If you want something cheaper to run, there’s the Kia Picanto (circa 2010), which has a peppy enough 1.0 to be able to cope with the Ennis run.
Or finally a Toyota Yaris, with that brilliant 1.0 VVTi engine, would make a hugely sensible choice, but you’ll have to go for an older one to stay on budget — 2008 or thereabouts.
How much to tax my Fiesta in January?
How much tax will I have to pay on my new Ford Fiesta in January?
Kathleen Flanagan (Co, Offaly )Oct 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Kathleen,
You've not told us which engine the car has or whether the car is already registered or not. We'd need to know more to work out its CO2 rating. You should be able to work it out using our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature.
My Fiesta's stop-start won't work...
Hiya,
I own a Mark 7 Fiesta that comes with the stop-start button. As I was driving, the light came up saying that the stop-start has been turned off, and I am unable to put it back on again. The light is on and will not turn off. I have read up on possible fixes and attempted most but nothing has helped. I did not have heating or AC running, or lights on. Neither was I doing anything out of the normal. Do you know anything else that may cause this?
Ricky-Lee Morgan (Gloucestershire )Oct 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Ricky-Lee Morgan,
In the vast majority of cases this is down to either a battery that is not in perfect health or a dodgy sensor. See our feature Why won't my car's stop-start system work? and if that doesn't help then you will need to get the car plugged into a diagnostic computer by a mechanic.
When to replace a 2011 Fiesta's belt?
When do I need to replace the timing belt on a 2011 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Trend powershift?
William Smith (Rustenburg)Aug 2020 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi William,
The 1.6-litre petrol engine's belt of that era requires a change every 160,000km or eight years, whichever comes first.
For the 1.6-litre diesel, it depends on when the engine was manufactured. Pre July 2011, it's 140,000km and ten years, and after that it's 180,000km or ten years.
Ford Fiesta Active or new Puma?
I am looking at getting a new car, something easy to get into. I have aFord Fiesta automatic (disabled driver) so was looking at an Active model or saving up a bit and going for the Puma (which I like the look of). Both will have to be automatic. Am looking at Fords first before I look at options.
Emmet K (Westmeath)Mar 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Emmet,
To be honest, the difference in height between the Fiesta and the Fiesta Active is pretty minimal and so it’s probably not worth the trade-up. The Puma, though, is a different story entirely. Again, in terms of height, the difference isn’t huge, but the Puma’s interior and boot are much larger than that of the Fiesta, and added to which it’s even more entertaining to drive. In fact, it’s one of our favourite cars of the year thus far, so we’d say go for it. Well worth also considering the likes of the new Renault Captur, the Peugeot 2008 and the Skoda Kamiq too.
I have a fault in my 181 Ford Fiesta.
I bought a 181 Ford Fiesta 1.5 diesel and to date I have had to call the AA out three times for engine faults. Also the engine warning light comes on every few weeks, but the last time the AA came out, I was told to ignore it as they could find nothing wrong. Ford Ireland is saying they are covered because I have the free AA cover, but I have lost three days work waiting for a replacement car etc. Do you know if there have been other reports of faults in the Fiesta?
Brian Scott (Navan)Dec 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
To be honest, no — we haven’t heard of any major problems with the current-shape Fiesta, but perhaps the problem lies in the diesel engine and how it’s being used? If you’re only covering a relatively low mileage, you could be getting a clogged up exhaust particulate filter, which is a common issue with diesels that get driven for short hops, or stuck in traffic a lot. Beyond that, if the car has caused you to stop three times in succession, to the point of having to call out roadside assistance, then clearly there is an issue and, if it’s not the particulate filter problem, then it could be something more serious. As a 181, you’re still well within warranty, so I would demand of your Ford dealer that they do something, as there must be a problem somewhere.